Chapter 5 Section 1 Taxation without Representation New

Chapter 5 Section 1 Taxation without Representation

New Taxes • The French and Indian War had plunged Britain into debt • British politicians decided that the colonist should pay their share of the bill

SUGAR ACT 1764 • put new taxes on molasses • Most colonist ignored the tax and smuggled the molasses in • British officials responded by passing laws that made it easier to bring smugglers to trial

STAMP ACT 1765 • The act placed new charges on legal documents, wills, diplomas, and marriage licenses • It also taxed newspapers, almanacs, playing cards • All items named in the law had to have stamp showing that the tax had been paid

Colonists Protest • Stamp Act outrages the colonist • Riots break out in Boston, New York, and Charleston • Tax collectors are tarred and feathered and beaten

Colonists Protest • Outrage of the colonists shock the British because they had just spent a lot of money to defend the colonists against the French • Colonists argue that taxes are unjust based on the principle of “no taxation without representation”

Colonists Protest • Colonists believed that only they or their elected officials had a right to pass new taxes • Colonists begin to boycott, or refuse to buy certain British goods

Stamp Act Congress • The anger over the Stamp Act unifies the colonies as never before • October 1765 nine colonies send delegates to meet and draw up a petition to send to King George and Parliament to end the stamp taxes • 1766 Parliament repealed or canceled the Stamp Act

Townshend Acts 1767 • placed taxes on goods such as glass, paper, paint, lead, and tea • Also gave tax collectors writs of assistance, or the right to inspect a ship’s cargo without giving a reason • Colonists said the writs of assistance violated their rights at British citizens

Colonists’ Protest Strengthen • colonial merchants and planters sign nonimportation agreements, promising to stop importing goods taxed by the Townshend Acts

Sons of Liberty • group that organized protests and would hold mock hangings of British officials

Samuel Adams • Leader and organizer of the Sons of Liberty in Boston, he worked behind the scene organizing protest and stirring public support

John Adams • Sam Adam’s cousin, he was a skilled lawyer and respected for his knowledge of British law

Patrick Henry • young lawyer in The House of Burgesses in Virginia well known for his violent verbal attacks against the British

Britain takes action • British send troops to calm protest in Boston and New York • The British pass the Quartering Act which said under the law colonists had to provide housing, candles, bedding, and beverages to British soldiers stationed in the colonies

The Boston Massacre • March 5, 1770 • Crowd of protestors gathered outside the Boston customs house • Crowd began to throw snowballs, shells, and chunks of ice at British soldiers outside the custom house • Soldiers panic and fire into the crowd • Five people are killed • Colonists are outraged